Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 14:57:14 -0600
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast <HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU>
From: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast <HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Buff-bellied songs

From:Brent Ortego <bortego@VIPTX.NET>@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU on 02/14/2003 02:57
PM

Written by Gerry Green:

The Buff-bellied hummingbirds have been especially intriguing to me ever
since they "moved" in with us in 1979. Each year, they show up in the
spring, become daily regulars throughout the summer, and sometimes
linger well into the fall. However, it seems the more I learn about
them, the less I know.

Their behavior here in our yard is often different from observations
other people have made. From the very beginning, one of the main
contradictions concerned vocalizations. Bent, Oberholser and many major
field guides mentioned "shrill and squeaky" for their voice
descriptions. Woah! Our Buff-bellieds didn't sound like that to me,
except on very rare occasions when buffs were chasing another species.
And, if I were somebody from another part of the world who wanted to
spot one, I would have been listening for the wrong sounds.

In fact, the buffs' vocabulary is exceeding complex and varied. During
the course of "living" with them for all of these years, I remain amazed
and astounded by their repertoire. Surely, our other nesting hummers,
the Ruby-throats and Black-chins, must have an equal communication
system, but my ears can only pick up the normal simple sounds everybody
associates with Archilochus. Not so with the buffys!

If you happen to be among the few lucky people to host these gorgeous
creatures, your critique, comments and own observations would be of
interest. There are so many questions about the Buff-bellieds, probably
because so few humans ever get to watch them in their limited US range.
My descriptions leave a lot to be desired, but treat them, if you will,
as "Square One," a foundation from which to build on, or as a base to
tear down and start all over again. To save space, please remember all
of this stuff is in my opinion, and based on what the hummers do while
here. It is also subject to change, depending on what the buffys decide
to share with me next, and on what closer scrutiny of my own records may
happen to reveal.

A "Gnatcatcher-like" sound is very commonly heard whenever they are
around. To my ears, it descends in pitch, producing a sort of a mew.
It is given when the Buff-bellied is perched on a dead, leafless part of
a twig, almost always in plain sight. I have never associated it with a
particular sex (tough job with these hummers!) or territory, and always
thought of it as being more of a call.

However, it is my recent understanding the well respected, late Ted
Parker referred to the same sound as a song. When my mind thinks of a
Buff-bellied singing, though - their "Cascading Song," immediately pops
up in my head. It is composed of beautiful, clear notes that cascade
downward in pitch. It makes me think of the sound water in a rocky
little brook makes when it bubbles along. 'Tis seldom heard in
comparison to the more common vocalizations, but well worth waiting
for! I believe this is the Buff-bellied hummers' "Romeo and Juliet"
song. The sound comes from deep within the undergrowth about five feet
off of the ground, and appears to given from a shadowy perch. It has
not been heard later than June or July, to the best of my recollection.

The cascading song, is some respects, has taken on a life of its own. I
was trying to describe it to Nancy Newfield, who then mentioned it
sounded rather like the song she had heard from Rufous-tailed hummers!
Very interesting, indeed, since they are both "Amazilias." Do the
related Berylline hummers in Arizona sing?

Then, there's the "Neighing Song," which I think is a version of the
cascade, using the same general notes in a different tempo. The result
is an exuberant, excited neigh or whinny which may possibly have
something to do with feeding territory, because it is heard once in a
while into the fall, well past the nesting season.

Aside from the "Gnatcatcher-like mew," the most commonly heard
Buff-bellied sounds in this neck of the woods are variations of "clicks
or ticks," depending upon interpretation. Although they are perfectly
capable of totally silent flight, the buffy usually announces its
approach to a feeder, flowers or another hummer with what I call a
"Whir-click." The bird seems to be saying, "Look out - here I come!"
The "whir" part appears to be mechanically produced by feathers.
Whether wings or tail, I know not. Have also noticed "whir-click"
while they feed on flying insects in and around the canopy of oak trees.


The "click" part is an entirely different matter. In no way, form or
fashion am I suggesting the Buff-bellieds intelligence approaches that
of the beloved porpoise (Bottle-nose Dolphin) or the raccoons - but all
three have developed a language that involves clicking noises. Slight
variations definitely mean something to them.

"Fussy-click" is one. Very much like the click in "Whir-click," but
much louder, more agitated and appears to be given from a stationary
position. The noise most often comes from dense vegetation when I walk
outside in a hurry, throw bird seed out near the hummer's perch, or
otherwise disturb it. The buffy seems to be saying, "Get outta here and
leave me alone," and more of a response to people rather than birds.

A less agitated version of "fussy-click" almost always is given in
response to the "Gnatcatcher-like Mew" of a second Buff-bellied. One
will mew and other will click, but both birds stay put and don't try to
approach the other. I haven't yet decided if it means "leave me
alone," or "come have a drink with me."

The next sound was originally dubbed "Solitary Muttering," because the
buffy appeared to be the only hummer in the yard when the vocalization
was heard. It is similar to "fussy-click," but not quite as loud, and
the clicks are much slower. It reminds me of when a person is irritated
about something, and mutters or mumbles to themselves. The tone of
voice is aggravated, even though the actual words (thankfully) can't be
deciphered.

After many more hours of watching and listening, though, I'm leaning
more toward it being a Buff-bellied's verbal response to another hummer
species when the buffy chooses not to chase the intruder. The buffs are
consistently inconsistent regarding tolerance of other hummers. More
watching necessary... think I can handle that!

The last of the clicking variations that I've been able to categorize is
their "Gentle Ticking." This is a very faint, tender ticking that is
barely audible, almost a whisper. It's sort of a, "Hush, little baby,
please don't cry" type of soothing noise, and I'm of the impression it
is a mama conversing with her humlets. Each time it has been heard,
I've been convinced I was standing within mere feet of a nest. No, I
haven't! I suffer from an apparently incurable condition know as Hummer
Nest Nemesis.

Finally, there is a "Catch-all" category of similar, but different
sounds, some even fairly high pitched, that are often combined with each
other in random ways. The first is a taunting, sing-song like chant,
that all kids know, "Na, na, na, na, na - you ca-a-ant catch me!" The
other vocalization, often mixed up with the taunt, is what I call
"Chicka-chase," because the notes are similar to some of those used by
chickadees and most often heard when the Buff-bellied is chasing another
hummer. More than once, my field notes say something like being of the
impression that the high pitched squeaks attributed to the buff, are
mostly sounds made by the Archilochus being chased. Food for thought.

That covers everything except for their "Feather Whistles," best saved
for the future. Meanwhile, since this is being cross-posted to
TexBirds, BirdChat and rec.birds, any and all responses will be compiled
and reposted later. Thanks for any input or insight! [End of Noisy
Buff-bellied Hummers Post]
................................................................................
............................................................................



Brent Ortego
Near Raisin, TX